Industry Given No Information on New Driving Rules, Says Instructor
A driving instructor has stated that many within the industry have received "no information" ahead of the introduction of new rules for novice drivers later this year.
The Department for Infrastructure is implementing these changes to reduce fatal road crashes involving young people.
Graduated driver licensing (GDL), set to be introduced on 1 October, will apply to all new drivers but is primarily targeted at 17 to 23-year-olds.
Infrastructure minister Liz Kimmins has acknowledged that work remains to ensure the implementation timeline is met.
The new regulations include a mandatory six-month waiting period for learner drivers before they can take a practical driving test, as well as the completion of new training modules that must be signed off by an instructor or a parent or .
'Who is Responsible?'
Neil McLaren, an approved driving instructor based in Newtownabbey, expressed concerns that the industry is "nowhere near ready" to manage the upcoming changes.
"The driving test itself isn't going to change - it appears, but what we don't know is what is required for the preparation for the driving test,"
he said.
"We would like to see the apps and what's going to be included - in the 14 sections that we are expected to manage - as of yet we know absolutely nothing of what is going to be contained in this.
"How they are going to be managed?
"Who is responsible for signing them off?
"All of this information still has to come to the industry - we would like to know."
'Lack of Information'
McLaren warned that the delay in providing instructors with necessary information could negatively impact the profession.
"I don't want to change and there are people who - are actively retiring because of this change - and because of the lack of information which is coming our direction,"
he said.
He called on the minister and her department to engage in dialogue with the industry.
What Are the Concerns?
David Boyles, representing the Northern Ireland Approved Instructors Council, voiced concerns regarding the detailed expectations for instructors.
Speaking to Stormont's infrastructure committee, Boyles noted that the council had requested seminars from the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) to clarify how the system will operate in practice.
"But at this present moment in time, no dates have been set,"
he added.
Boyles informed assembly members (MLAs) that the council only became aware of the planned changes when they were announced publicly by the minister in January.
When asked if the proposed timeframe for implementing the changes was reasonable, Boyles stated it depends on the speed of information dissemination.
"As long as instructors are going to be informed with all aspects of GDL (graduated driver licensing), what is expected of the instructor, the pupil and the parents' side.
"If we get all that and can get that out to the industry... there's a slim possibility instructors could be ready for 1 October."
Carly Brookfield from the Driving Instructors Association, which represents instructors across the UK, emphasized that further work is needed regarding how the "log book" will function for signing off training completed by new drivers.
"There might have to be more instructor time and that comes at a cost, but it's better than allowing a novice to be trained by a novice - and kicking the can down the road in terms of risk,"
she told MLAs.
What Has the Minister Said?
Infrastructure minister Liz Kimmins stated that departmental officials will engage with instructors between now and October but conceded that more work is required to meet the deadline.
"This legislation has been sitting on the shelf for many, many years I want to ensure we get it out there and get it implemented so it can make a real difference.
Why Is Graduated Driver Licensing Coming Into Northern Ireland?
The reforms, described as the most significant changes in 70 years, will see Northern Ireland adopt a version of laws already in place in countries such as Australia, the United States, and the Republic of Ireland.
The Department for Infrastructure explained that graduated driving licences are intended to revise training and testing for new drivers and motorcyclists.
The minister highlighted that in 2024, there were 164 people killed or seriously injured on Northern Ireland's roads in crashes involving drivers aged between 17 and 23.
This age group accounts for 24% of fatal or serious collisions despite holding only 8% of driving licences, she added.
